1) The magazine cover uses a limited amount of text to draw attention to the images. It displays a masthead, strap line, and main cover line written in contrasting colors to attract attention. 2) Headlines like "World Exclusive" imply what readers should focus on. Larger text at the top is followed by smaller details. Variations in red, white, and black help the cover stand out. 3) The band name "Green Day" in large bold letters is the focal point. Smaller puffs provide insight into other magazine contents and intrigue readers with words like "exclusive" and "plus".

1. Analysing Music Magazine Front Cover - Q

2. Written Code Masthead Main Cover Line Puffs

3. Written Codes The amount of text on the front cover is limited, in order to draw more attention to the images. This magazine front cover displays the use of a masterhead, strapline an main cover line. Their initial purpose is to attract the audience. This is achieved through its utilisation of contrasting colours. For instance the main cover line ‘Green Day’ is written in white against a black background. It makes the text that much more eye-catching and vibrant, appealing to its target audience. Also words such as ‘bonus’, written in red against a black background, provoke its audience into a sense of thinking . Again, this particular attitude is developed through the consistent use of black and white. Headlines such as ‘...World Exclusive’ and ‘They’re Back’ give implications as to what they want the readers to be focusing on. They are in large font and written across the top of the magazine like a strapline, are subsequently proceeded by text giving further details in a smaller font size and colour. This cover is especially effectively as it is easy to indentify its contents after a single glance.. The size of the main text and image also enable it to be read and recognised from a distance. This factor, along with the variations of the colour scheme red, white and black, will help it standout on a shelf. There is the manipulation of exclamation marks to convey excitement. This is evident in the sentence ‘Get Off My Land!’

4. Language The words ‘Green Day’ in a bold white font, is the largest typeface on the page, other than the masterhead. It is placed in the centre of the page, at the base of the page. The address is informal, and the fact that it is in bold effect letter bestows it with the effect of sometime shouting those words at you. This is also reflected in the fact that as the name progresses, the text grows larger. There are also a few other short puffs, each restricted in length, but placed in a single strand at the foot of the page. They provide a brief insight as to other aspects of the magazines content. They fascinate the reader with words such us ‘exclusive’ and ‘plus’ to let them know that there is more to follow, avoiding entering great detail. There are also a select few language techniques that have been incorporated into the text. There are many instances of short sentences to slicken the pace of reading. An example of this would be repetition and alliteration in the form of ‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ .

5. Colour Colour can have varying associations or connotations, that we are all generally in consensus. These different colours are likely to represent various aspects of the content. There is a consistent colour scheme in the sense that the only colours that feature are red, black ,green and white. This has been intentionally crafted to formulate a sense of regularity and make it recognisable on the annual basis. In my opinion the main purpose of the red used is to disrupt the flow of the black and white text and images. It predominantly features at separate points of the front cover; as a puff under the main cover line and a smaller background colour for separate shapes on the page. The regular interval of the inclusion, balance out the pattern of the front page. Also the connotations of red and usually and or danger, especially in games. This subliminally provides us with a clue as to what the genre of the featured band, with who the main cover line is regarding. The background is mainly white, and therefore rather bland. This is so that it is contrasted against any text or image that is placed onto it, making it appear more vivid and striking. The black is also used regularly for the text under the sub-heading, the magazine name. As the majority of the text we read everyday is in black against a white background, like newspaper articles. The magazine cover doesn’t disrupt this pattern, so naturally our eyes are drawn towards them. It provides us with an indication as it its significance, as its is used for vital components like the magazine name. The magazine name, ‘Q’ is white against a red background. The overall background is green, to personify the name of the band, Green Day. Masthead with red background green background

6. Composition and Framing The main image appears to be a medium long shot, as you can see about three quarters of their body. This is to show all of the members of the group, maybe to generate a sense of mystery. Or another alternative it the they have been simply cropped from knees down. One thing is sure, they have been digitally manipulated. The people were extracted an actual photograph , before being placed onto the background. What’s more they appear to have been placed in front of the masthead. It stands out in black font against the white background figures. This is particularly effective in distinction to the plain white background. It allows the name of the magazine to initially catch your eye, at first glance. You then spot the other placements of contrasting colours scattered across the page, which results in the reader looking at the full cover.

7. Image Usually, the image on the cover represents the target reader, or the ideal that the target reader would like to aspire to. On the cover of ‘Q’, the main image is of the group Green Day, featured in direct mode of address. It almost creates the impression that they are looking directly at you and the message is intended for you. It captivates the reader, especially as the bands are in a stance of action. This type of cover is applied in music magazines, so that the artist don’t appear stationary. This fact that it is in green background entails an aura of mystery and suspense. It is enhanced by the uniformity as to their clothing and the fact that one of them is clenching a fist, and revealing a tattoo, but we are not made aware of why. There are also other smaller images associated with the puffs, with various artist.

8. Design The text on the front cover are usually proceeded by one of a colour and font size. This endows each segment of words with their own individual importance as the are different from those directly around it. There is also at least a minute amount of space between each set of words, making the overall layout equally distributed. The main image cover a small part of the magazine name. This aids in linking illustrations and words, so that they are all in sync. The main texts like the masthead and featured game are all in capital letters, exemplifying their pivotal role. The masthead it unique as the name of the magazine ‘Q’, is a single letter. The design has been constructed to appear like a logo.All other like the puffs appear to conform to the laws of grammar.

9. Contents The contents page of a magazine is there to inform the reader of what the magazine contains. In order to do this, the contents page must be presented in a manner that invites the readers, so it has to be pleasant to the eye and easy to comprehend at a single glance. In this magazine contents page, I chose, the contents page follows a structured layout which enables the reader to get a clear view of what the magazine contains. The page is divided into sections, with images covering the majority of the page, with the information displayed around it. This format means the reader is immediately drawn to the images, enabling them to feel more involved within the magazine, and be more entertained. There is also a main image, which like the other has a page number, where the readers can obtain further detail.